New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-06
THE SdLOOy IN POLITICS.

THE SALOON IN POLITICS.
It is hard to obtain from the ProhibitOnsts
an Ineligible reason for their opposition to
High License. A striking illustration of this
difficulty was given at the discussion before
the BAPTIST Social Union between Drs. Crosby
and Funk The latter Is reported as saying:
We oppose High License because it does not
decrease crime, but forces the saloons back
into the hands of the brewers and disillers and
into politics. Now what can the public make
of this extraordinary statement? 1t is
notorious fact that the whole High License
agitation springs from public conviction that it
has become necessary to break the influence of
the saloon In politics. The domination OF that
influence in the government of all great cities
being recognized as. at once an abuse and
danger, public sentiment has taken form III
the advocacy of restrictive legislation. Yet III
these circusm tances DR.. Funk coolly asserts
that High License can only do that which
everybody knows to have been already done,
and the undong Of which is now sought. The
truth is that the saloon is in politics rs FAR as
it can possibly go. No legislation whatever
could give it more power in that direction than
it possesses to-day. But DR.. Funk pretcnds
that the Prohibition resistance to High License
arises from fear that it will help the saloon
to get into politics
Surely this is not a candid way of talking.
Surely Dr.. Funk knows that High License can by
no possibility strengthen the saloon in politics.
but that whatever influence it exercises must
be in the opposite direction. 1t really seems
pity for DR.. Funk TO bring forward so frivolous
reason, for Prohibition opposition. 1t would
have been more frank to tell the truth man
fully; and the truth is that the ProhibitiOnsts
oppose High License because they are unwilI-
ing to accept any legislation shor! of Prohibi-
ton, even though they thoroughly understand
that Prohibition is unattainable. Why even
Z" The Voice." which is trying to make it appea;
that there is some logical capacity remaining
among its supporters. being pressed hard by
temperance correspondent who wants It's reason
for opposing High License, can only bring itself
to say: @Any measure that will curtail the
number of saloons by even one, we heartily
favor, If IL docs not, in so doinG place an ddh-
GOndL barrier betlreen as and Prohibition.
measure which leaves the license fee as it Is,
but says the saloons shall hereafter be limited
to one in 500 population, we would not OPP
pose. Note that we do not say We would aid
in its passage. But we would be neutral OF
ing hot and cold with the same breath. awe
will not oppose; but we will not help says
"The Voice." in its desperate effort not TO
appear hopeessly irrational and absurd.
The Prohibitionists, however, cannot escape
responsibility. If they will not assist the
friends of High License in doing what can be
done to diminish the evil influence of the
saloon in politics, they must expect to be held
accountable for the consequences should the
bill fail AS to the brewers and distllers and
their relation with the saloon. It is known 10
every one and il is certain TO all who have and,
can use their eyes that High License must
operate to check whatever mischief flows from
it. Prohibition being wholly nut Of the question,
restraint is the one policy commended by prac-
ticability. Most of us would like TO see the
saloon driven out of politics and ont Of society
altogether. But most of us realize that the
liquor trade has been built mp by the demands
Of society that society has encouraged and
sustained il and that nasmuch az tho same
wants exist day which existed when drink
ing began, il is beyond the power of any Gov
eminent to put down the appetite by force or
to suppress the machinery which ministers to
it. Restricted and din inished the evil may
be, and to that end High License is proposed
and supported. 1t is not the best, but it is
better than nothing aud nothing is all that
can come Of the Prohibitionist programme.
The best ally Temperance can have is common
sense. The worst ally Temperance can have is
Intemperancc. Unfortunately the Funkian
Prohibitonsts think differently; unfortu
natelY, We mean, for themselves.